First-year Bomber Ben Hobbs looks on during main training on Thursday. (Photo: Essendon FC)

Eight weeks to go.

With preparations for round one in full swing, the Bombers were put through their paces in a three-hour sweat session at the NEC Hangar on a hot Thursday morning.

The main session involved a series of skills drills, running and match simulation.

Take a look below at a selection of the club's snaps from the track.